Taking root in Millerton

MILLERTON — On Saturday, April 25, the community betterment group Townscape celebrated Arbor Day with the planting of two more Princeton elm trees on Main Street in front of Simmons’ Way Village Inn. Townscape started the program of re-introducing the disease-resistant shade trees to Main Street two years ago with an elm tree planted at the head of the Rail Trail.

Children of the North East Community Center wrote “treeâ€� poems  and read them at the event, before “diggingâ€� in for a photo. Townscape donated 10 children’s books, several about trees, to the community center as thanks for their participation and to encourage learning about trees.

The elms were donated by Ralph Fedele, a member of Townscape and president of the North East Historical Society, and Mary Herms and Ryan Marshall, part-time residents who support the efforts of Townscape’s tree program. All three trees were planted in collaboration with Elm Watch, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and reintroduction of elm trees to communities.

Townscape and the village of Millerton joined efforts to recognize Arbor Day at Veteran’s Park, with something for everyone. The iced tea and cookies offered by Simmons’ Way Village Inn and music provided by Lance Middlebrook and Chris Shamkin made for a very warm, enjoyable spring afternoon.

Cathy Fenn is president of Townscape and resides in the town of North East.